If you want to save money without shortchanging your critter, try these smart tactics.Check out more expert pet advice.

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If you're like most pet owners, you treat your furry friend as well as — if not better than — you do yourself. A recent poll of female shoppers found that while about 68 percent of women were willing to switch brands of their OTC medications and certain staples to save cash, only 29 percent would change their brand of pet food. And the American Pet Products Association forecasts that total pet spending in 2009 will reach $45.4 billion, up from $43.2 billion in 2008. Given the state of the economy, that tells you a lot about how Fido and Fluffums get treated. But just because you want to give your pets the best doesn't mean you have to sit back and watch your bills escalate. Instead, try these smart tips for spending less — while still showering them with love.

Lower Food Costs

Feed less. If you can't see or easily feel your pet's ribs, he could probably stand to shed a few pounds. And if so, he's hardly alone: Some 44 percent of dogs and 57 percent of cats in America are overweight, the 2008 National Pet Obesity Awareness Study found. If a medical condition isn't to blame, you may be unintentionally overfeeding. "Most pet food label feeding guides are based on the caloric needs of un-neutered/un-spayed, active adult animals," explains veterinarian Ernie Ward, president of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. "A spayed or neutered pet's metabolic needs are 25 to 30 percent lower than that." Petobesityprevention.com will tell you your critter's true caloric needs. Then, feed the lowest recommended amount on your pet food package. If your pet stays at a healthy weight, you may help him avoid diabetes, kidney disease, and other ailments — and you'll definitely save cash. Say you pay $30 for a 17.5-pound bag of Nutro Ultra Adult dry dog food. The feeding guide for a 40-pound dog recommends 1¾ to 3⅓ cups daily; feed the lower amount, and you'll save about $210 a year. Will pets complain about getting less food? "You bet your last kibble — there's a strong behavioral component to overeating," says Ward. To survive the pleading eyes, Ward advises playing with your pet: "By rewarding 'begging' with physical and emotional interaction, pet owners will soon see an improvement."

Supplement wisely with scraps. Think twice before you toss your leftovers; they could stretch your pet's diet. "We keep a container in the refrigerator and add things like chopped broccoli stems, green bean ends, meat loaf, and scrambled eggs. Then we mix it with high-quality dog food daily," says Liz Jenkins, 44, of Nashville. "We've cut our pet-food costs in half, and our dog loves it — and she's fit and trim." A smart move, according to Babette Gladstein, a veterinarian at Bglad Veterinary Services in New York City — but don't just treat your pet like a garbage disposal with a tail; rather, feed her as if she were your 90-year-old grandmother. "No spices, no dairy; be careful with fat; most lean meats and fish are good, as well as vegetables," Gladstein says. "Start your pet on a small amount of the food and, if she reacts well, incorporate more of it into her diet, up to 50 percent of her meals." Some human foods are dangerous for animals to eat, though. Make sure you are familiar with which foods are toxic to pets.

Bulk up. If you don't already buy your pet food at a warehouse club, start now. At Costco, we found a case of 24 22-ounce cans of Pedigree Chunky Beef dog food for $24.99, versus $33.36 at a local supermarket; Purina Fancy Feast cat food was $17.49 for a case of 36 three-ounce cans at Costco, versus $28.80. Or try Costco's house brand, Kirkland Signature; 40 pounds of dry dog food were being sold for $23.99 and 25 pounds of dry cat food for $15.89 at press time.

Try fruits and veggies. "Most pet treats are expensive," says Gladstein. "A 10-ounce bag of Beggin' Strips costs about $6 — more than a good steak at your supermarket!" She suggests offering apples, bananas, and baby carrots (all good for, ahem, regulating the digestive tract). Never give grapes or raisins, though — they're toxic to many pets.

Make your own goodies. If you enjoy baking for the rest of the family, try it for your dog, too. Your pet will thank you for these easy homemade dog treat recipes.

Whittle Grooming Fees

Get professional grooming less often. Chances are, you've spaced out your trims at the salon to save money. Share that same tactic with your pooch. "If you pay $60 per grooming and cut your grooming frequency from five- to seven-week intervals, you'll save $178 a year," says Billy Rafferty, owner of Chicago's Doggy Dooz Pet Styling and co-author of the book Happy Dog: Caring for Your Dog's Body, Mind, and Spirit.

Save big by giving your pooch a bath at home. Here, step-by-step instructions on how to bathe your dog yourself:

Train up. Learn to give your pet a bath and pedicure. "Taking just the tip off your dog's nails weekly saves as much as $20 a month," says Rafferty. For how-tos on bathing and clipping, "ask a professional or vet," says Ann Hohenhaus, internist at the Animal Medical Center in New York City.

Watch these step-by-step instructions on how to clip your dog's nails at home!

Save on Medical Care

Reach out to shelters. Most municipally run animal shelters across the country offer some type of free or low-cost spay/neuter program, vaccinations, and more. "We spay or neuter cats for $65 and dogs for $75," says Trey Burley in program development at PAWS Atlanta, which also offers discounts on heartworm- and flea-prevention meds. (Compare those costs with the typical prices charged by vets: $90 to $200 for a cat; $210 to $300 for a dog.) Contact your local animal shelter or humane society to find out about available services.

Scale back on vaccines. Which vaccines are necessary for your pet depends on local ordinances as well as the animal's lifestyle, age, and exposure to risk. For instance, if your pooch has no contact with other dogs, you may want to skip the "kennel cough" vaccine — taking about $20 off your vet bill. Similarly, strictly "indoor-only" cats may not require the feline leukemia vaccine, saving you about $25, says Timnah Lee, associate veterinarian at Tribeca Soho Animal Hospital in New York City.

Get the Rx to go. Vets can turn a healthy profit by dispensing medicine. "About 12 to 15 percent of a small practice's income comes from the sale of prescription meds," says veterinarian Karen Felsted, CEO of the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues. Here's how to cut the cost: If your animal needs medication right away, get it from your vet — but only perhaps a week's worth, and ask to take a prescription with you so you can order the rest online. "When one of my dogs needed a new allergy medicine," recalls Cindy Lail, 54, of Lawrenceville, GA, "I bought a 30-day supply from the vet for $17.60, but ordered the refill for $6 at petcarerx.com." Prices vary, so shop around. Some to try: 1800petmeds.com, drsfostersmith.com, and kvvetsupply.com. Or see if your vet will match the online price rather than lose business to e-tailers.